Band Rush to perform on 'Colbert Report'

FROM THE BLADE NEWS SERVICES

Rush will be appearing on The Colbert Report, and it's not Limbaugh.

The Canadian band Rush, which hasn't performed on U.S. television in more than three decades, will play its classic "Tom Sawyer" on the Comedy Central show at 11:30 tonight. The trio, currently on tour, hasn't played on U.S. television since 1975.

Rush is the latest act to perform on The Colbert Report. With increasingly frequent musical performances, the show has sprouted a variety-show sensibility.

The rapper Nas will perform on July 23, Toby Keith will return for a second performance on July 28, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash will play on July 30.

The Stephen Colbert-hosted comedy show originally was launched as a parody of conservative political punditry - and shows like The O'Reilly Factor do not make a habit of hosting music performances.

But The Colbert Report has expanded into musical realms, often with its sonorous host joining in. John Legend, Neil Young, R.E.M., Tony Bennett, Peter Frampton, Willie Nelson, Barry Manilow, John Mellencamp, the Roots, and Carole King have all performed on the show.

A musical based on 1980 film Nine to Five will open on Broadway in 2009 with music and lyrics by country star Dolly Parton, producers said yesterday.

Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin starred in the film about three colleagues who plot to turn the tables on their sexist, egotistical, lying boss. Parton was nominated for an Oscar for the title song "9 to 5."

9 to 5: The Musical includes Parton's original score as well as 20 new songs and stars Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, and Marc Kudisch. It is due to open on Broadway on April 23, 2009.

It will first play a six week engagement in Los Angeles in September/October this year.

Jessica King is out and Comfort Fedoke is getting another shot on So You Think You can Dance, Fox TV said Monday.

An injury forced King to leave the dance show, the network said. The nature of the ailment was not disclosed, but Fox said the top 10 contestant was quitting on her doctor's advice.

"Her full recovery is paramount and will only come with rest," series executive producer and judge Nigel Lythgoe said, adding that King had given her blessing to semifinalist Fedoke's return.

They will be paired with new dance partners on tonight's two-hour performance show, which starts at 8 p.m.

The results of viewer voting will be announced on tomorrows hourlong show, which begins at 9 p.m., with two of the dancers facing elimination this week.

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